VT Takeover Will Boost Babcock’s Profile
Babcock claims to have become Britain’s second largest defense company, with the completion of its takeover of the VT Group on July 8. The firm isn’t exhibiting at the Farnborough airshow this week, but its presence in the defense aviation sector is set to rise significantly through programs such as VT’s role as joint prime contractor with Lockheed Martin in the Ascent partnership that is running the UK’s new military flying training system.

“Following the acquisition of the VT Group, Babcock now offers 70 years’ experience delivering flying training, aircraft provision and through-life support to the UK’s armed forces,” said Babcock defence and security division’s chief executive John Davies. “This is characterized by the total integration of engineering, maintenance and logistics support services from development to delivery, providing the skilled professionals who ensure both the availability of our customers’ asset and support infrastructure, and the safety of personnel.”

NRC Completes Hornet Semi-synthetic Fuel Test
National Research Council Canada (Hall 4 C19c) has completed qualification testing on a 50:50 mix of a synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) fuel derived using the Fischer-Tropsch process and regular JP-8 in a General Electric F404-400 engine, as used in the country’s CF-18 Hornets. The trials were undertaken by the NRC’s Institute for Aerospace Research at the organization’s Gas Turbine Laboratory. The tests revealed no performance or interoperability issues, and noted that specific fuel consumption decreased with the SPK mix, as did particulate and sulfur dioxide emissions. However, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions were slightly increased.

More Bell Helicopters Going to Japan
In an agreement concluded at Farnborough by Yukihiro Tanaka, CEO of Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, and John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter, Mitsui Bussan Aerospace has signed for seven additional helicopters, specifically four Bell 429s and three Bell 412s. All seven have been acquired for private customers in Japan and will be used on a multitude of missions, such as utility, corporate transport and emergency medical services.

Including this latest agreement, Bell has converted to firm purchase agreements for the Bell 429 only 22 of the some 300 letters of intent in place when the light twin obtained certification in July last year. Just one Bell 429 has been delivered to a customer to date.

Mitsui Bussan has been the Bell representative for more than 50 years, during which the company has brought more than 1,400 helicopters into Japan.

P&W Awards Firth Rixson Forgings Contract
Aerospace metals specialist Firth Rixson (Hall 4 Stand E13) has won a new long-term contract from Pratt & Whitney to make most of the seamless ring forgings for the engine maker’s entire range of commercial and military engines. The agreement runs through to the end of 2015.

“With this agreement, Firth Rixson once again continues to strengthen its position as the leading supplier of forged rings to the aerospace industry,” said the Sheffield, UK-based company’s CEO David Mortimer. “We are especially pleased to extend our participation and strengthened role as a strategic supplier to United Technologies in support of its many aerospace offerings.”

Hawker Beech Brings EVS-1500 to King Air
Hawker Beechcraft has added the MaxViz EVS-1500 enhanced-vision system to its parts and distribution order system for operators of King Air 200 and 300 twin turboprops. The approval allows operators of in-service King Airs to install the infrared camera for viewing in the cockpit on video-capable displays. Buyers of new King Airs can also install the EVS-1500 system as a post delivery modification through Hawker Beechcraft Service, linking the camera through the airplane’s standard Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system.